Full-Day Small Group Tour of Avignon and Villages of Luberon from Aix en Provence

Professional guide, but would have preferred more time in the delightful villages, the time allowed was too short. Avignon for 2 hours was too long given we were left to our own devices, would have been a much more enjoyable to spend time in the villages. Also, is there really a need to visit the lavender outlet, this was not noted in the itinerary and also was not of interest to many of us on the tour.

Our special tour of Avignon and Luberon was with our chauffeur and guide, Lucille. Both beauty and brains, Lucille just finished her studies in Aix-en-Provence. On that very windy the mistral day in Avignon, Lucille managed to give us an extensive background of Pont du Avignon, Palais de Papes, and other highlights about Avignon. From there, we drove to the magnificent mountain village of Gordes and saw its limestone-built homes. We had lunch at Fontaine de Vaucluse, made famous by the humanist Petrarque and its crystal clear spring waters. Then we had our first experience of seeing lavender fields at the Abbaye de Senanque where we bought some lavande and lavandin products including the lavande miel lavender honey! Next stop was in the beautiful village of Roussillon, also known as the Colorado of Provence with its massive natural ocre formations. And the last but not the least, Lucille brought us to Lourmarin, to remember A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. What a full and memorable day it was! And which part did we like the most? You will need to experience it to know the answer.